I've driven by the SereniTea Cottage & Gift Shoppe on Grand Island Boulevard a million times and finally decided to check it out. When I called to ensure they were open, I was pleasantly surprised at the very hospitable greeting I received, which extended to my entire visit, where I was treated more as a dear friend than a stranger. Very nice.
Several years ago, gregarious owner and previous Niagara Falls resident Cathy Knight, who worked her way up from dishwasher to cook at the Grand Island Golden Age Center, asked herself the proverbial mid-life crisis question, "Is this all there is?"
A deeply religious woman, Cathy prayed and sought inspiration, which came in the form of a book cover she spotted while shopping for Christmas cards. It displayed a beautifully draped table decorated with flowers and set with bone china, and Cathy knew what she wanted to do. She wanted to create a space where others could sense the same feeling she encountered when she eyed that book cover, a special place where one could find calm, civility and human connection through conversation and good food.
With the full support of her husband, Ken, Cathy set out to educate herself about tea houses, antiques and real estate. Convinced that she wanted a stand-alone property, she nixed a downtown Buffalo Victorian home because it had no parking, and a North Tonawanda church because it was overwhelmingly large. You can see that this woman has vision and guts.
One day she drove down Grand Island Boulevard as she had so many times before and noticed a house for sale with acreage and a large garage. She stopped, peeked in the windows, called her husband and said, "I've found our tea house!"
Thirteen months later, after completely gutting and renovating the property, she opened SereniTea Cottage & Gift Shoppe.
You won't find blaring TVs at SereniTea Cottage, no bar or alcohol, and children under the age of 5 are discouraged (their weary parents needing a break from their hectic routines, however, are welcome). A sign at the entrance requests all guests to silence electronic equipment. And instead of blaring country music (yuck), or rap (double yuck), serene and peaceful background melodies surround you and blend seamlessly into the spirituality of the place.
The space is divided into three areas -- two quaint and cozy dining areas in the main room and a private dining room with fireplace that comfortably seats 35 people in the rear of the building. In the reception area there are shelves of crafty items for sale. There is even a hat corner where, if the spirit moves you, you can borrow a hat to dress for tea!
The dining concept is unusual: One meal is served on a three-tiered serving tray, consisting of two scones or bread with clotted cream and lemon curd, three tea sandwiches, three desserts, and unlimited tea, for $13.95. Add a cup of homemade soup for $1.
My meal consisted of the following: nicely seasoned homemade chicken and vegetable soup, turkey sandwich with cranberry mayo on sourdough bread, egg salad sandwich on rye bread, roast beef sandwich with horseradish mayo on potato bread, mini apple pie, raisin square, a decadently rich Oreo cheesecake with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, a hot honey pecan scone (yummy), cinnamon bread with a shot glass of lemon curd (so fabulous on the scone!), and real clotted cream imported from England. It's "real" because it comes only from Jersey cows -- who knew?
The tables are set with mismatched bone china. My soup was delivered in an almost extinct two-handled soup cup. Sixteen different teas are offered. If you don't want tea, there are coffee, water and hot chocolate. Although it sounds like an enormous amount to eat, the portions are small, and I left comfortably full.
Cathy has captured what she set out to -- the ability to set aside your hectic, electronic-driven life for a moment, take a visit to a long-lost era when times were slower and simpler, sip a steaming cup of tea to clear your mind, munch a warm scone to encourage your spirit, and enjoy the ambiance to quiet your heart. Now who couldn't use some of that?
SereniTea is not just for women. Yes, they've hosted any number of Red Hat events, but men enjoy the venue as much as women. The private dining room is a perfect space for business meetings, wedding rehearsal events, birthday parties, wedding and baby showers, anniversary parties -- the list is endless. Cathy will personalize your private event menu.
Cathy said that after two years in business, her event schedule continues to do well, however the daily lunches have been negatively affected by the economy. I sincerely hope that this very unique venue run by an incredibly affable, inspired and gutsy entrepreneur can survive.
If you need a respite from the craziness of everyday life, take a ride over to SereniTea. You'll leave with a very different attitude. Cathy is chief chef, dishwasher and server, so it is imperative that you call and let her know you'll be coming. She'll be waiting for you.
SereniTea Cottage & Gift Shoppe
2014 Grand Island Boulevard
Grand Island, N.Y. 14072
774-8322
www.sereniteacottage.com
Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | March 9, 2010 |